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NFL power rankings: 2020 edition – Super Bowl champion Chiefs at No. 1, 49ers, Ravens in hot pursuit

By Russell S. Baxter

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs talks with Patrick Mahomes #15 against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs talks with Patrick Mahomes #15 against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 11: Minnesota Vikings Running Back Dalvin Cook (33) rushes with a ball during an NFC Divisional Playoff game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Minnesota Vikings on January 11, 2020, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Kiyoshi Mio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 11: Minnesota Vikings Running Back Dalvin Cook (33) rushes with a ball during an NFC Divisional Playoff game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Minnesota Vikings on January 11, 2020, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Kiyoshi Mio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

8. Minnesota Vikings (11-7)

2nd Place, NFC North

Reached NFC Divisional Playoffs

Season Review: The defense has been the pride and joy of head coach Mike Zimmer since his arrival in 2014. But in recent years, this unit has begun to have its issues. And the team’s third playoff appearance in five years was due in a large part to the play of quarterback Kirk Cousins and running back Dalvin Cook. Yes, the latter missed the final two games of the regular season but the third-year pro enjoyed a career year, leading the team in rushing and finishing second on the club in receptions. Defensive end Danielle Hunter led the club with 14.5 sacks and safety Anthony Harris had seven takeaways in the regular season.

2019 Turning Point: The 10-4 Vikings hosted the 11-3 Packers on a Monday night in Week 16 with an opportunity to make things a lot tighter in the NFC North. But Minnesota’s offensive line was a no-show in a 23-10 setback. There would be the playoff win at New Orleans but the team went quietly a week later.

2020 Priorities: Taking over for offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski, now the head coach of the Browns, is former Super Bowl-winning head coach Gary Kubiak, who was with the club a year ago as an advisor. In the secondary, cornerback Trae Waynes and the aforementioned Harris are also potential free agents.

7. Seattle Seahawks (12-6)

2nd Place, NFC West

Reached NFC Divisional Playoffs

Season Review: It was a departure from those teams of earlier in the decade that featured a strong ground game, accurate passing from Russell Wilson and one of the best defensive units in the league. It added up to five consecutive trips to the playoffs and a pair of Super Bowl appearances. These days, the Seahawks are more reliant on their veteran signal-caller as evidenced by the team’s penchant for playing high-scoring affairs. Pete Carroll’s resilient club reached the postseason for the seventh time in eight years, splitting their two playoff games, while their 11-5 record featured a point differential of plus-7.

2019 Turning Point: Carroll’s club was involved in its share of wild games all season and was coming off a 37-30 Monday night triumph over the visiting Vikings. But six days later on a Sunday evening at Los Angeles, the Seahawks were humbled by the Rams. It would be a 1-3 finish for a team that opened 10-2.

2020 Priorities: The team acquired defensive standout Jadeveon Clowney from the Houston Texans via trade but now general manager John Schneider has to find a way to secure the potential free agent’s services. The Seahawks also have their share of offensive linemen that could hit the open market as well.

Next: Nos. 6 and 5

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